Sawtell
NSW 2452 · Coffs Harbour
3,788 (2021) → 3,875 est. (2025) · Stable
Part of the Coffs Harbour local government area (est. 81,408 residents)
Based on transport, liveability & education. Safety is scored separately below.
Sawtell is a stable suburb in Coffs Harbour, NSW 2452, about 428km from Sydney CBD. Its median house price of $1.24M is around the same as the NSW average. The suburb has 1 school, a transport score of 54/100, and is right by the coast. Sawtell has an overall score of 55/100, based on transport, liveability and education, plus a separate residential safety score of 20/100.
Demographics
Age distribution
Top countries of birth: England (3.59%), New Zealand (1.48%), South Africa (0.66%), Scotland (0.45%), Netherlands (0.34%)
Top languages: Japan (0.4%), Spanish (0.32%), Thai (0.32%), French (0.29%), Afrikaans (0.16%)
Source: ABS Census 2021
Property
Median price history
Source: NSW Valuer General · Updated Q4 2025
Residential Safety
Recorded residential incidents (latest year), with rate per 100,000 residents:
Includes street and public-place assaults — supplementary context, not part of the safety score.
Residential incidents over time
Sum of the five residential categories above — not all recorded crime.
Area crime context
An independent score — crime data quality varies by state, so safety is shown separately and is not part of the overall score.
Source: BOCSAR · Updated 2025
Schools
Reasonable school mix
Around the national average — a reasonable mix of schools, though the strongest options may require some travel.
Average ICSEA of schools within 10km 965 (below the national average of 1000).
In suburb
- Sawtell Public SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 1009
Nearby (within 10km)
- William Bayldon Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.5kmICSEA 829
- Mary Help of Christians Primary School SawtellPrimary · Catholic · 1.6kmICSEA 1040
- Toormina Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2kmICSEA 923
- Toormina High SchoolSecondary · Government · 2.2kmICSEA 944
- Coffs Harbour Bible Church SchoolCombined · Independent · 3kmICSEA 1014
- Coffs Harbour Learning CentreSecondary · Government · 3.1kmICSEA 818
- Coffs Harbour Christian Community SchoolCombined · Independent · 3.8kmICSEA 1031
- Boambee Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 4.2kmICSEA 1003
- Coffs Harbour Senior CollegeSecondary · Government · 4.3kmICSEA 1033
- St John Paul CollegeSecondary · Catholic · 5kmICSEA 1046
- Bonville Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 6.2kmICSEA 1000
- Bishop Druitt CollegeCombined · Independent · 6.7kmICSEA 1102
Source: ACARA 2023
Transport
Source: TfNSW GTFS
Liveability
Amenities within 2–3km
Counted within a short distance of the suburb centre (so nearby facilities count), with the in-boundary count shown beneath.
Source: Bureau of Meteorology · OpenStreetMap
Fitness
Decent access
Around the national average — a reasonable mix of fitness facilities, with more variety a short drive away.
Facilities within 3km of the suburb centre. The Fitness Score is a national percentile of these counts per resident.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Outdoors
Limited outdoor options
Below average — fewer parks and green spaces close by.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Outdoor Score is a national percentile led by parks and green space.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Culture
Some cultural venues
Around the national average — a handful of cultural venues, with more on offer a short trip away.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Culture Score is a national percentile weighting theatres, museums, galleries, libraries and arts centres most heavily.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Entertainment Scene
Solid scene
Well above average for licensed venues — you won't struggle for a night out or a good meal.
View nearby venues on the Entertainment Map →
Source: Liquor & Gaming NSW
Population & Growth
StableSource: ABS ERP & NSW DPHI
Nearby suburbs in Coffs Harbour
Compare Sawtell with another suburb
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Frequently asked questions about Sawtell
Is Sawtell safe?
Sawtell has a residential safety score of 20/100, based on residential crime (break-ins, theft from dwellings, vehicle theft, domestic assault and robbery) per resident relative to the NSW median. Its total recorded incident rate is 6,785 per 100,000 across all categories.
What are property prices in Sawtell?
In Sawtell, the median house price is $1.24M and the median unit price is $819K. Median weekly house rent is $640.
How far is Sawtell from Sydney CBD?
Sawtell is about 428.3 km from Sydney CBD.
What schools are in Sawtell?
Sawtell has 1 school, with an average ICSEA of 1009 (the national average is 1000). Schools are listed factually, not ranked.
What is public transport like in Sawtell?
Sawtell has a transport score of 54/100.